New tyre “Scrub in” period…

[The Marching Onion]

So nearly a month later, I’ve decided today I’m going out for a ride with the new CTA 3’s on. Many people suggest taking it easy for the first 50-100 miles. Seems a bit vague so I did some research. I’m fairly new to this game so correct me if I’m wrong.

In the past, tyre manufacturers used to use a “release agent” in the moulding process, which meant this needed to be scrubbed off. The manufacturing process has changed on the modern day and as such, this doesn’t get used anymore.

Another suggestion is that oils and waxes within the rubber compounds raise to the surface and form a sheen and take a number of miles to wear off.

However, more specific to my tyres, Continental say they use ‘Traction Skin’, a micro-rough tread surface that virtually puts an end to tyre break-in. This is achieved with a new mould coating technology that eliminates the need for any tyre release agents.

So for me, bottom line is just take it easy anyway. Also being January, my assumption that any break in period would be elongated due to cold tarmac compared to the warm sweeping twisties ridden in Summer. You also ain’t putting any extreme lean angle on a bike this time of year anyway.

So todays task is gentle acceleration, look ahead for timely braking and attack corners a little more conservatively.

 

[MartinK]

That's what I do. Take it easy for the first couple of rides and increase lean angles a bit at a time
On dry grippy corners they're pretty good anyway from the outset

 

[DJ123]

So long as you don't drive like a knob usually (riding the Bike hard from cold - sharp acceleration, hard braking, etc), you'll be absolutely fine riding new tyres the same as used ones.

The Conti's are extraordinarily good at being grippy in any/most weather, IMO. After i had a new set fitted i was out the next day in the rain for a ride - no issues at all. Gripped as well as a used set did!

 

[Bravo]

As you've stated they don't use releasing agent anymore so I just get them warm a couple of times then I'm good to go.

 

[karlp]

Sandpaper is good - it also means you can bullshit on the angle of lean down the pub - or on here if you post a photo

 

[theoneandonly]

me , i do 200 miles normally , gentle running in , seems to make them last longer .

 

[mike wright]

I had them on a GS and they where fine after a couple of rides however on the KTM 1290 the front was all over the place even after 4 rides but eventually once worn in rode perfectly. In my GSA I will be using them again once the Tourance Next tyres wear out which came with the bike

 

[M30SJM]

In my opinion, for what it's worth, as soon as the surface of tyre changes from the shiny ish black to the duller black, they are run in.
In other words, as soon as any part of the tyre touches the tarmac once, that's job done.
Its when your trying to get rid of the last 10 or 15mm of the chicken strip that you need some dry tarmac.
I've never bought into the run in period. Always thought that was to make sure the wheel spindle, caliper bolts and anything else that been undone, isn't shacking itself loose, rather than anything to do with the tyre itself.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Pirelli and Metzler allegedly use a special release agent the negates the need for scrubbing in although I like to any way
Bridgestones dont and scared me to fucking death when I left the tyre shop

 

[DorsetRider]

I put a new pair of Metzeler boots on my GSA on Friday. Went steady for first 100miles, ideally these would've been on dry roads but found mostly dry lines.

Treated the ride like it was a frosty morning. Gradually increasing acceleration, braking, and lean angle after that. Now just over 200 miles in and have full confidence in the tyres in this miserable British weather on our atrocious chewed up B-roads.

FWIW so far I've found the Tourance Next 2 to be a very confidence inspiring neutral tyre.

 

[Santa-2512]

The sign that I've seen in most tyre places is 200 "dry" miles

i can do almost half that just running to and from the places where i get my tyres fitted

 

[moogster]

https://www.michelin.co.uk/motorbike/advice-motorbike/tyre-care/breaking-in-new-motorcycle-tyres

 

[richh]

Take it easy for first 100 miles. They don’t use release as said but you don’t know what’s touched the tyre, greasy hands, bead soap etc.


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[EPG_19]

Sandpaper is good - it also means you can bullshit on the angle of lean down the pub - or on here if you post a photo

Recommended by Del boy the bellend.

 

[The Marching Onion]

Well I did 145 miles all over Shropshire and mid Wales, mixture of dry and wet. Hopefully all good now.

What I will say is the difference in feel is massive. So confidence inspiring with these. It did catch me out early on how easy it was to tip into a corner, my old tyres were heavily squared off so I can only presume it made it difficult.


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[JoeBiff]

… once the Tourance Next tyres wear out which came with the bike

Slightly off topic, but the Tourances aren’t the most confidence inspiring tyre I’ve ever had….
They seem to hate gravel and are hopeless on wet grass.

 

[DorsetRider]

Well I did 145 miles all over Shropshire and mid Wales, mixture of dry and wet. Hopefully all good now.

What I will say is the difference in feel is massive. So confidence inspiring with these. It did catch me out early on how easy it was to tip into a corner, my old tyres were heavily squared off so I can only presume it made it difficult.


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I had the same with the old Anakee Adventures that came with my bike, they maybe had a 1000 miles remaining tread but the rear especially was badly squared, not the tyres fault and quite typical of long motorway and A Road type distances with hard accelerations in straight line etc.

These Tourances on road are incredible as a contrast, they are so very neutral on corners. I really enjoy them, but it's personal.

 

[DorsetRider]

Slightly off topic, but the Tourances aren’t the most confidence inspiring tyre I’ve ever had….
They seem to hate gravel and are hopeless on wet grass.

It's horses for courses and down to personal preference but I only ever ride tarmac right now and find the Next 2 to be very reassuring as a 90/10, I especially like the neutral nature for cornering.

 

[The Other PaulG]

My wife's best mate did her direct entry, and on one lesson they stopped to get a new tyre fitted to a school bike.

The tyre shop bloke said there was no need to treat a new tyre any differently. Possibly because my wife's mate is very attractive and he wanted to show off, he brought the previous customer's bike out of the tyre bay (a Gixxer 1000) with a large handful of throttle. The rear tyre rapidly overtook the front and he went down, leaving him sliding across the forecourt.

Oh dear. That was 4 years ago - no idea what the tyres were.